Jets sign center Ryan Kalil

In a surprise move, the Jets announced they have signed previously retired former Panthers center Ryan Kalil.

Following 12 seasons with the Panthers in which he earned five Pro Bowl nods and made two All-Pro teams, Kalil retired following the 2018 season.

Eight months later, he’s a New York Jet.

In 2018, Pro Football Focus graded Kalil as their 13th-best center out of 27 qualifiers. Spencer Long ranked 26th.

Kalil has only committed five penalties over the past three seasons. Long and Jonotthan Harrison combined to commit 10 in the 2018 season alone.

The Jets cut Long after a disastrous 2018 season. Despite having a huge hole at the position, the Jets never made an aggressive move there. Jonotthan Harrison had been holding down the starting spot throughout the entirety of the offseason and into training camp. It remains to be seen whether Kalil will be penciled in as the starter or if the two will compete for the job.

UPDATE: It’s a one-year, $8.4 million deal for Kalil.